Turkey Car Rental Guide

Tips for Hiring a Car in Turkey

To help travelers take a well-informed decision, listed below are a few tips to rent a car in Turkey.

  • Book in Advance - The earlier you book, the more and better is choice of vehicles. No cancellation fee is charged, so there is obviously zero risk.
  • Understand the Rental Inclusions -Understand the rental package well by talking to your rental company. Insurance cover needs to be checked thoroughly so as to know the exact position in case of accident, theft or damage.
  • Check the Car Well - Do not forget to check the condition of car rented to you for any existing damage. If you notice anything, then inform immediately.

Driving in Turkey- What You Need to Know

The road network in Turkey is excellent. There are sign boards on highways and all major roads to indicate the towns and turns. In Turkey, you have to drive on the right side of the road. It is of help if you know a few basic Turkish words, such as Mortorin (Diesel), Cikis (exit), Yacas (slow) Tekyon (one way) and Girilmez (No entry).

When renting a car for Turkey, there are a few questions that often arise.

  • Car Type - Majority of the cars available are with manual transmission. But, you can ask for cars with automatic transmission as well.
  • Driving License -A foreign license is valid only up to 90 days here. If you plan to stay back for long, then you need to possess international driving permit.
  • Speed Limits - Over-speeding is an offence in Turkey. The speed limits vary in different areas. However, average speed limit for cars is 120km/h on motorway, 50Km/h in busy areas and around 90Km/h in remote areas with lesser traffic inflow.
  • Payment for Rental Car - Only a small amount needs to be paid at the time of booking, the rest of the money is to be paid at the time of pick-up.
  • Age Limit to Drive a Car in Turkey - The minimum age to drive a car in Turkey is 18 years.

General Rules of the Road

Listed below are some road rules you should follow.

  • Compulsory Equipments to carry in a car- fire extinguisher, first-aid kit and 2x Warning triangle.
  • Kids under 10 cannot sit at the front seat. Child restraints need to be carried along for those children under 150cm in height and less than 35Kg in weight.
  • Using a cell phone while driving is strictly prohibited.
  • In Turkey, legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5%. If you caught driving above this limit, you will have to pay heavy fine. Also your driving licence will be immediately confiscated for at least 6 months.